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Sodium chloride (SC) is by far the most cost-effective deicing agent in winter road maintenance and therefore is used by road authorities worldwide. However, chloride ions foster high corrosivity, which significantly reduces the service lifetime of metals and reinforced concrete of transport infrastructures. Hence, a holistic evaluation with the main criteria of deicing performance and corrosion is demanded and, if possible, alternatives should be considered. This paper focuses on the deicing performance of sodium chloride and other common acetate-, carbonate-, chloride- and formate-based deicing agents. A newly developed test method is presented, enabling high volume testing at good repeatability. From its results a nonlinear model is derived to predict deicing performance up to five hours after application. Subsequently, this model is compared with both existing empirical and theoretical approaches for evaluating the deicing performance. In addition, the impact of added corrosion-inhibiting substances like sugars on deicing performance is investigated. Finally, a comparison of all tested substances in terms of corrosivity and deicing performance is presented, with corrosion being investigated in detail in another paper. • A new method for evaluation of deicing performance is presented (called CEDA). • CEDA is compared to other theoretical and empirical evaluation methods, showing the possible limit of the theoretical approach. • CEDA is a more reliable and more efficient testing method compared to the common SHRP method. • Statistical analysis shows the variation of the time-dependent deicing performance of different deicing agents. • Deicing performance is compared to mass loss due to corrosion, showing advantages of certain deicing agents and inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]